Under the Blacklight
by Rilo Kiley
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 52
  3. Negative: 9 out of 52

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. EinarJ.
    May 4, 2008
    6
    Sometimes, you love something about this album, other times you're wondering what you liked. 'Close Call' and 'Silver Lining' are the best tracks. 'Smoke Detecter' is atrocious.
  2. DanA.
    Sep 19, 2007
    4
    This sucks bananas. A wonderful band, a terrible album. While i doubt this is the Liz Phairification of Rilo Kiley, it sure sounds like it.
  3. MikefromMaine
    Sep 3, 2007
    6
    This disc is quite uneven, and honestly, the lower quality songs are almost embarrassing in a few cases. The country flavored songs are actually the weakest of the bunch, with the two album openers being the most annoying. The standouts on this are pop-oriented songs with a beat, those songs that are more Debbie Harry than Paula Cole, to borrow fromba previous review, which is puzzling This disc is quite uneven, and honestly, the lower quality songs are almost embarrassing in a few cases. The country flavored songs are actually the weakest of the bunch, with the two album openers being the most annoying. The standouts on this are pop-oriented songs with a beat, those songs that are more Debbie Harry than Paula Cole, to borrow fromba previous review, which is puzzling because I always preferred the band's country twinge. Check out the "Moneymaker," "Breakin' Up," and "Smoke Detector," to get a feel for the good stuff. Lyrically, they've done a lot better as well. The higher quality songs are good enough to overcome some of the (very) weak moments, provided you're willing to overlook these missteps.… Expand
  4. AaronE
    Aug 28, 2007
    5
    Catchy but completely without soul. Meet the new Rilo Kiley.
  5. DanielC.
    Aug 26, 2007
    6
    I expected a little more from a major label debut. This album has it's high points, but even the strongest material pales in comparison to the material on the first 3 albums. I recommend giving this one a listen, but be prepared for a lack of interesting guitar work (that we all know Blake is capable of), as well as a different singing style by Jenny Lewis. Standout tracks are: I expected a little more from a major label debut. This album has it's high points, but even the strongest material pales in comparison to the material on the first 3 albums. I recommend giving this one a listen, but be prepared for a lack of interesting guitar work (that we all know Blake is capable of), as well as a different singing style by Jenny Lewis. Standout tracks are: "Silver Lining," "Close Call," "Dreamworld," and "The Angels Hung Around."… Expand
  6. ChrisE.
    Aug 23, 2007
    4
    Well it's obvoius the good reviews for this major-label debut are all from mainstream media outlets. I've been into Rilo Kiley since 2003, "Take off and landings" "The Execution of all things" "More Adventurous" were so good! And this is just sooo..not. These songs are so mediocre, the polar opposite of why I fell in love with Rilo Kiley in the first place. It's obvious Well it's obvoius the good reviews for this major-label debut are all from mainstream media outlets. I've been into Rilo Kiley since 2003, "Take off and landings" "The Execution of all things" "More Adventurous" were so good! And this is just sooo..not. These songs are so mediocre, the polar opposite of why I fell in love with Rilo Kiley in the first place. It's obvious Jenny and the rest of the band have stopped being creative musicians and have now turned into another trendy hipster pseudo-indie band. Jenny Lewis used to make my heart melt, but I can honestly say I've tuned out and I'm over with Rilo Kiley. They have to know these songs are plain and boring...oh well...… Expand
  7. ChrisC
    Aug 23, 2007
    4
    Booooring. Pitchfork accused them of ironically courting mainstream. But this isn't bad because it's more mainstream-ish. It's bad because it's boring and lame.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. cokemachineglow
    47
    Yes, the beats are big and the sound is mainstream and commercial; however, the band sound restrained and uncomfortable.
    Read full review
  2. Uncut
    100
    Under The Blacklight is by far and away the most accessible album that Rilo Kiley have ever made.
    Read full review
  3. Lost At Sea
    94
    Every one of the eleven songs attached to Blacklight is a stunner in purely musical terms.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »